Miami Engagement Photographer
When and why should you take engagement photos?
Having engagement photographs done prior to the wedding day is something I suggest to all of my customers. Having your wedding photographer capture engagement photographs is a great idea for many reasons, and I’ve compiled a list of the top five below.
1 – First and foremost, try to calm your nerves. If I had to guess, I’d say this is your first professional picture shoot, and both you and your fiancé are probably feeling a little anxious about it. You’ll get the most out of your engagement photographs if you take them before the big day. Taking engagement photographs with your wedding photographer is a great way to relieve stress before the big day. When I first meet a client, they are usually quite anxious and unsure of how to act or “position,” but I always reassure them by telling them, “Don’t worry, there is no way you can mess it up!” at the beginning of our session. We have a good time and I give them some advice before we begin, and sure enough, within thirty minutes, my pair is relaxed, enjoying themselves, and following my advice.
2 – If this is your first picture shoot, you may be intimidated by the sound of the camera clicking. If you’ve hired a fantastic wedding photographer, you won’t even notice the person behind the camera chatting with you by the time you’re done having your pictures taken.
3 – Learn to pose such that your best features are highlighted. As a wedding photographer, nothing is more rewarding than hearing the words “I prefer this side of my face/body better” from a newly minted customer. I won’t waste time setting up awkward settings or stances that you won’t like being a part of. But what if you have no idea which angles best highlight your best features? The engagement photographs you take before your wedding day can assist you and your wedding photographer identify the best lighting and poses for your big day. You should feel comfortable with your wedding photographer and their ability to capture your finest angles and expressions before the big day. Yes, I’m going to guess so!
4 – Having your wedding photographer also capture your engagement pictures is a great way to get to know each other and establish a rapport that will be invaluable on the big day. What makes taking your engagement photographs so special to me is that it gives us the opportunity to start forming bonds of friendship and trust with one another. You’ll get to witness how I collaborate with you and direct behind the camera, and I’ll get to see how the two of you communicate in your relationship. Do you like to show affection for one another, or do you prefer to keep that aspect of your relationship under wraps? I wouldn’t have known to ask you to do anything embarrassing on your wedding day if we hadn’t done engagement photographs first.
5 – You’ll Have a Breeze of a Time on Your Wedding Day After having your engagement photographs shot, you’ll have a good idea of how well you and your wedding photographer get along and work together. For the smooth running of your wedding day, this is ESSENTIAL. Why? Since you won’t feel anxious about anything (well, at least not about your wedding photos 😉 And you can rest easy knowing that you hired the greatest wedding photographer possible to record your special day just as you envisioned it.
Best Locations Engagement Photos in Miami
Crandon Park Carousel
Crandon Park’s carousel, which was once part of a defunct zoo, has been lovingly renovated and now serves as a charming backdrop for engagement photos. And because it’s so close to a stunning beach, you can easily combine your shoot with a more classic beach photo session before or after.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
Did you know that just a short drive from the heart of Miami you can visit a magnificent natural beach complete with a lighthouse? The Cape Florida Lighthouse in Key Biscayne’s Bill Baggs State Park is the perfect beachy and romantic setting for your engagement photos. Be sure to dress for the sea air by donning loose, breathable garments.
South Pointe Park
South Pointe Park, located at the very end of Miami Beach, is an ideal spot from which to observe passing cruise ships and take in a breathtaking view of the Miami sunset. It is located right on the beach and has easy access to a pier, with views of the ocean and the city of Miami. The ability to snap photographs in this public park is unrestricted and free of charge. If you want the best photos, you should go at sunrise.
Deering Estate
The 1920s-era mansion in the vicinity of Cutler Bay has been renovated into a beautiful event space. One of the most eye-catching aspects of the Deering Estate is the centerpiece harbor that overlooks Biscayne Bay and is flanked with palm trees. It has all the ambiance of a tropical paradise without the obligatory beach. Permission to take photographs costs $100 and can be purchased at the entrance.
Vizcaya
The Deering Estate and this property are brothers, and the latter is smaller and less lavish than the former. An extravagant Gilded Age mansion, Vizcaya features the best formal gardens in Miami with an amazing view of Biscayne Bay. The cost of the necessary permits ranges from $250 to $350.00, depending on the day of the week.
Ancient Spanish Monastery
It’s as if you’ve traveled back in time when you enter the Ancient Spanish Monastery on North Miami Beach. Greenery abounds in the grounds, and its many nooks and crannies make for picturesque photo ops. The 12th-century stone cloisters are the most impressive part, though; they’re the most castle-like structure in all of South Florida. The setting is ideal for a princess-themed party. Shooting in the Ancient Spanish Monastery requires permission and a $200 picture charge.
The Botanic Garden of Miami Beach
Despite its proximity to the famed South Beach, this hidden gem offers a tranquil retreat. This is a great place to discover an easily accessible natural backdrop, with options ranging from Japanese-style gardens to nooks filled with orchids. There is a $50 per hour fee for using a camera.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Miami’s largest garden and a great choice if you’re looking for a variety of garden settings for your picture shoot. This is the pinnacle of Miami’s tropical atmosphere, with a butterfly display, a hummingbird aviary, and a magnificent greenhouse decorated with Chihuly glass art. Taking pictures inside the park requires a permit and a small cost.